Monday, February 02, 2009

Libraries in hard times

In the past few months, it has become even busier. The library, like most in the Washington area, has had a rising tide of users as patrons look for free computer access, DVD loans and activities for children during the recession. Circulation in the last six months of the year rose as much as 23 percent in libraries around the region, records show.

The influx comes just as county managers are preparing budgets for the coming fiscal year in a time of huge shortfalls. Libraries, like other services, face drastic cuts that could mean reducing staff and hours or even shuttering branches.

It never ceases to disappoint me that the same business interests who are so eager to call for public subsidies for sports stadiums are so reluctant to support a proven economic and community resource like libraries.